New program provides job training for older unemployed veterans

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Older unemployed veterans may sign up beginning today for a new job training program called Veterans Retraining Assistance Program.

The program was established as part of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, signed by President Obama last November. There are an estimated 11,000 unemployed veterans in Alabama, according to a release from the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations.

Veterans may apply for this program if they are unemployed and are between the ages of 35-60 and if they did not receive a dishonorable discharge, are not eligible for any other VA education program, are not receiving VA disability compensation because they cannot work and are not enrolled in a federal or state job training program.

VRAP will offer up to 12 months of training assistance at the rate of the Montgomery GI Bill payment, which is now $1,473 a month.

Participants must enroll in VA-approved education programs at community colleges and technical schools that lead to an associate's degree, non-college degree or a certificate that will lead to employment.